Biopsy targeting cube with malleable members

Abstract

A biopsy system comprises a control module, a localization assembly, a biopsy device, and a targeting cube. The biopsy device comprises a probe and other components, which selectively couple with a targeting cube that is configured to selectively couple with a grid plate having apertures for receiving the targeting cube. The targeting cube comprises a body defined by faces, and guide holes that originate and terminate at the faces and pass through the body of the targeting cube to provide passageways through the targeting cube. The body of the targeting cube is at least partially comprised of elastomeric material to allow for adjustment of the orientation of the passageways. The body of the targeting cube is further comprised of malleable members that flank the passageways and allow for angulation of an instrument, such as by maintaining an adjusted orientation of a passageway into which the instrument is inserted.

1. A guide device for guiding a medical instrument relative to a patient, the guide device being usable with a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate has a plurality of apertures, wherein the second plate and the first plate are adjustable to secure an exterior portion of the patient, wherein the guide device is configured to be coupled with a selected one of the apertures of the first plate exterior to the patient, the guide device comprising:
 a. a body configured to be disposed exterior to the patient, the body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the body defines a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the body is operatively configured to flex in response to a force, wherein the body comprises a rigid exterior portion; 
 b. at least one rigid passageway, wherein the at least one passageway extends from the proximal portion through the body and to the distal portion, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to remain disposed exterior to the patient, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to receive at least a first non-deformable portion of the medical instrument at a proximal end of the passageway with a second non-deformable portion of the medical instrument projecting from a distal end of the passageway, wherein the second non-deformable portion of the medical instrument is connected to the first non-deformable portion of the medical instrument, wherein the at least one passageway has a first orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis; and 
 c. at least one malleable member, wherein the at least one malleable member is positioned adjacent to the at least one passageway and extends along at least a portion of the length of the at least one passageway, wherein the at least one malleable member is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the at least one passageway from the first orientation to a second orientation while the rigid exterior portion remains in an initial orientation, wherein the second orientation is obliquely angled with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the malleable member is further configured to maintain an adjusted orientation of the at least one passageway. 
 
     
     
       2. The guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide device is rotatable to position the at least one passageway to a selected orientation. 
     
     
       3. The guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is at least partially constructed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       4. The guide device of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of vulcanized thermosetting plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       5. The guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide device comprises a plurality of passageways extending through the body. 
     
     
       6. The guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide device comprises a plurality of malleable members positioned adjacent to the at least one passageway and extending along the at least one passageway. 
     
     
       7. The guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one malleable member comprises one or more wires that extend parallel along the at least one passageway. 
     
     
       8. The guide device of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more wires are non-magnetic. 
     
     
       9. The guide device of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more wires are constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The guide device of  claim 5 , wherein the guide device comprises a cube having six surfaces, wherein intersections of the surfaces define twelve edges. 
     
     
       11. The guide device of  claim 10 , wherein the guide cube is rotatable and further comprises a first set of passageways that extend through the body between a first pair of opposing surfaces, wherein the first set of passageways are associated with a first set of one or more malleable members, and a second set of passageways that extend through the body between a second pair of opposing surfaces, wherein the second set of passageways are associated with a second set of one or more malleable members. 
     
     
       12. A guide device insertable into a grid plate disposable adjacent to an exterior of a patient for guiding a medical instrument relative to the patient, the guide device comprising:
 a. a body comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the body is configured to be disposed exterior to the patient, wherein the body defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the body is at least partially constructed of a compressible material, wherein at least a portion of the body is operatively configured to flex in response to a force exerted on the body; 
 b. at least one rigid passageway, wherein the at least one passageway extends from the first end through the body and to the second end, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to remain disposed exterior to the patient, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to receive at least a first non-deformable portion of the medical instrument at a first position on the first end of the body with a second non-deformable portion of the medical instrument projecting from a second position on the second end of the body, wherein the first position and the second position together define an axis having a first angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the body; and 
 c. at least one bendable member, wherein the at least one bendable member is associated with the at least one passageway, wherein the at least one bendable member is configured to maintain an adjusted orientation of the at least one passageway, wherein one or both of the first position or the second position are adjusted at the adjusted orientation, such that the first and second position together define an axis having a second angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the body at the adjusted orientation. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one bendable member comprises one or more wires that extend adjacent and parallel along the at least one passageway. 
     
     
       14. The guide device of  claim 13 , wherein the body is comprised of a first material having a first durometer, and wherein the body is further comprised of a second material having a second durometer, wherein the first durometer is greater than the second durometer. 
     
     
       15. The guide device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one passageway is defined by the first material and further surrounded by the second material. 
     
     
       16. The guide device of  claim 15 , wherein the body is formed using a two-step molding process wherein a first molding process forms a first portion of the body associated with the at least one passageway, and wherein a second molding process forms a second portion of the body surrounding the at least one passageway and the at least one bendable member. 
     
     
       17. The guide device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one passageway is surrounded by the compressible material, wherein the body further comprises an imbedded lubricant associated with the compressible material surrounding the at least one passageway. 
     
     
       18. The guide device of  claim 12 , further comprising a grounding structure operatively configured to prevent over-insertion of the guide device into the grid plate. 
     
     
       19. The guide device of  claim 12 , wherein the guide device is rotatable to position the at least one passageway to a selected orientation. 
     
     
       20. A method of guiding and positioning a medical instrument relative to a patient comprising the steps of:
 a. designating a proximal portion and a distal portion of a guide device comprising a body and at least one rigid passageway extending through the guide device from the proximal portion to the distal portion; 
 b. inserting the guide device into an aperture of a plate positionable adjacent to an exterior of the patient, wherein the distal portion of the guide device is inserted into the plate first, and wherein the proximal portion of the guide device projects from a proximal side of the plate; 
 c. inserting a non-deformable portion of the medical instrument into a selected one of the at least one passageways of the guide device along a longitudinal axis of the passageway, wherein the selected passageway is at an initial orientation during the act of inserting the guide device into the aperture of the plate; and 
 d. angling the medical instrument with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passageway while the medical instrument is inserted in the passageway, wherein the act of angling causes at least one bendable member located adjacent and parallel to the at least one passageway to plastically deform to an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passageway thereby maintaining a changed orientation of the selected passageway relative to the initial orientation of the selected passageway.